West Bloomfield Welcomes Back Popular Cultural Arts Series with Grunge Retrospective

WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI – The beloved cultural arts series STORIED returns with a fresh look at the iconic alternative rock genre known as Grunge. The all-new production, titled “STORIED: The Grunge Era,” is set to unveil a captivating blend of story and song at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, at The Berman Center for the Performing Arts.

Hosted by Benji Rosenzweig, who created this series in collaboration with Eric Maher, senior director of The J Detroit (formerly the JCC), the evening promises a dynamic experience. Drawing inspiration from classic formats like MTV Unplugged and VH1 Storytellers, the program will seamlessly weave together historical narratives with live performances by a five-piece band led by the talented local musician, Eric Gutman.

This immersive show aims to paint a comprehensive picture of the Grunge genre, which emerged in the mid-1980s and resonated through the following decade. Like last spring’s inaugural session of STORIED, which celebrated the music of The Beatles, this installment focuses on the underappreciated impact of Jewish artists and professionals who shaped the Grunge music and culture.

Rosenzweig, a lifelong music enthusiast, shares his passion for blending musical history with Jewish cultural narratives. “I have been a music fanatic my entire life,” he remarked. “Shows like VH1 Behind the Music and Storytellers were my absolute favorites, so merging this program with a focus on the Jewish story is particularly meaningful to me.”

Throughout the performance, Rosenzweig will highlight how musicians like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Jane’s Addiction, and Soundgarden fused elements of punk rock and heavy metal with influences from indie bands. The angst-filled, introspective lyrics from artists such as Alanis Morissette, Hole, and Lenny Kravitz challenged societal norms surrounding race and gender, reflecting deep themes of hardship.

Sponsored in part by a generous gift from the Burton A. Zipser and Sandra D. Zipser Foundation, Rosenzweig hopes this program provides a much-needed uplifting experience. “Since Oct. 7, many events have been emotionally taxing and heavy,” he noted. “This show will be uplifting, packed with nostalgia, Jewish pride, and pure joy.”

Don’t miss out on “STORIED: The Grunge Era”, taking place on Saturday, Nov. 2, at The Berman Center for the Performing Arts located at 6600 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield. Tickets are available for prices ranging from $20 to $50. For ticket purchases, you can call or text the Berman Center virtual ticket office at (248) 406-6677 or visit their website at tickets.thejdetroit.org/storied-grunge. Additionally, use the code GRUNGEISBACK for a 25% discount on tickets purchased by Oct. 31.